Health Encyclopedia

Cardioversion

Definition

Cardioversion is a method to return an abnormal heart rhythm back to normal.

Information

Cardioversion can be done using an electric shock or drugs.

ELECTRIC CARDIOVERSION

Electric cardioversion may be done with a device that gives off a shock. The device can be placed inside (internal) or the shock can be delivered from the outside (external) the body.

External electric cardioversion uses a device called a defibrillator.

Electrode patches are placed on the chest and back. The patches are connected to the defibrillator.

The defibrillator is activated and an electric shock is delivered to your heart.

This shock briefly stops all electrical activity of the heart. Then it allows the normal heart rhythm to return.

Sometimes more than one shock, or a shock with higher energy is needed.

Emergency external electric cardioversion is used to treat abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia) that can cause death, such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.

External electric cardioversion may also be used for non-emergency conditions. Heart rhythm problems, such as atrial fibrillation or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) that began recently or that cannot be controlled with medicines may be treated this way.

You may need tests before having external cardioversion to make sure that there are no blood clots in the heart.

Some people may need to take blood thinners.

You may be given medicine to help you relax before the procedure.

After the procedure, you may be given medicines to prevent blood clots and to help prevent the arrhythmia from coming back.

An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) is a device that is placed inside your body. It is most often used in people who are at risk for sudden death from ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, or who have had these heart rhythms before.

The ICD is implanted underneath the skin of your upper chest or abdomen.

Wires are attached that go into the heart.

If the device detects a dangerous heartbeat, it sends an electrical shock to the heart to change the rhythm back to normal.

CARDIOVERSION USING DRUGS (PHARMACOLOGIC)

Cardioversion can be done using drugs that are taken by mouth or given through an intravenous line (IV). It can take from several minutes to days for this treatment to work. If you are given drugs for cardioversion in a hospital, your heart rate will be regularly checked.

Cardioversion using drugs can be done outside the hospital. This treatment is most often used for people with atrial fibrillation that comes and goes. However, you will need to be closely followed-up by a cardiologist.

As with electrical cardioversion, you may be given blood thinning medicines to prevent blood clots from forming and leaving the heart (which can cause a stroke).

COMPLICATIONS

Complications of cardioversion are uncommon, but may include:

Allergic reactions from medicines used

Blood clots that can cause a stroke or other organ damage

Bruising, burning, or pain where the electrodes were used

Worsening of the arrhythmia

People who perform external cardioversion may be shocked if the procedure is not done correctly. This can cause heart rhythm problems, pain, and even death.

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